| 1 | So be done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander
and
evil speaking of every kind. |
| 2 | Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured
and
grow unto [completed] salvation, |
| 3 | Since you have [already] tasted the goodness
and
kindness of the Lord. |
| 4 | Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men
[a]tried
and
threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. |
| 5 | [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable
and
pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. |
| 6 | For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (
[b]honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be
[c]disappointed
or
put to shame. |
| 7 | To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, |
| 8 | And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey
and
disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. |
| 9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own
[d]purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds
and
display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. |
| 10 | Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied
and
have received mercy. |
| 11 | Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers
and
exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul. |
| 12 | Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [
[e]when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock]. |
| 13 | Be submissive to every human institution
and
authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, |
| 14 | Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service. |
| 15 | For it is God’s will
and
intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges
and
ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons. |
| 16 | [Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God. |
| 17 | Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. Love the brotherhood (the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head). Reverence God. Honor the emperor. |
| 18 | [You who are] household servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate
and
reasonable, but also to those who are surly (overbearing, unjust, and crooked). |
| 19 | For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering. |
| 20 | [After all] what
[f]kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right
and
that is undeserved, it is acceptable
and
pleasing to God. |
| 21 | For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps. |
| 22 | He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. |
| 23 | When He was reviled
and
insulted, He did not revile
or
offer insult in return; [when] He was abused
and
suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly. |
| 24 | He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree
[g][as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. |
| 25 | For you were going astray like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian (
[h]the Bishop) of your souls. |
Cross references:
-
1 Peter 2:3 : Ps. 34:8.
-
1 Peter 2:4 : Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16.
-
1 Peter 2:6 : Isa. 28:16.
-
1 Peter 2:7 : Ps. 118:22.
-
1 Peter 2:9 : Exod. 19:5, 6.
-
1 Peter 2:10 : Hos. 2:23.
-
1 Peter 2:22 : Isa. 53:9.
-
1 Peter 2:25 : Isa. 53:5, 6.
|